The world of women’s sport has swelled into unprecedented success in recent years. For England in particular, these last few years have felt like a constant highlights reel for women’s sporting talent.
From the Lionesses clinching back-to-back victories at the Euros in 2025 and 2022, to the Vitality Roses winning the 2025 Netball Nations Cup, and the Red Roses securing the Rugby World Cup title last month, England is basking in an undeniable wave of momentum.
Such consecutive and consistent national achievements represent more than individual triumphs, marking a defining ‘starting pistol’ for women’s sport, and presenting a unique window for global leverage.
Deloitte has predicted that revenue from women’s sport will surpass $2.35 billion in 2025 – and it’s not hard to see why. The 2025 Women’s Euros was attended by over 657,291 fans and watched live by over 412 million. It generated $247 million in economic impact for Switzerland through media rights revenue (which grew by 110% compared to the 2022 competition) and sponsorship revenue (by 150%). Similarly, the Women’s Rugby World Cup sold over 444,465 tickets, with over 5.8 million viewers tuning in to the final, making it the most watched rugby game of the year in the UK, including the men’s Six Nations and the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. These figures highlight the growing impact of women’s sport, and how it continues to prove itself as one of the fastest growing economic markets in the world.
However, the true value of these successes goes far beyond ticket sales, attendance records, and sponsorship revenue. As some of the most visible role models championing gender equality and leadership in sport, England’s winning athletes are helping drive a monumental cultural shift for future generations, shaping young girls’ views of what is possible.
To position the UK as a present and future leader in all aspects of women’s and girls’ sport, capturing this momentum is paramount. Without sustained investment and policy commitments, the moment risks stalling and the UK risks ceding to other nations – Australia and the US are well underway integrating women’s sport into part their national identity. The UK must focus on building sustainable, joined-up systems that translate the triumphs of today into the tangible opportunities of tomorrow.
Recognising this, the Government recently launched the new Women’s Sport Taskforce to break down barriers and create lasting opportunities for women in sport. Chaired by Sports Minister Steph Peacock, and comprising of several industry and civil service experts, the Taskforce aims to deliver long-term, tangible improvements by 2035, connected in part to the goal of hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the same year.
To reach this goal, the Taskforce has announced plans to more than double priority access to grassroots football pitches for women and girls, alongside a doubling of the share of primetime slots dedicated to women’s and girls’ teams at Government-funded facilities over the next five years. This comes alongside the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) recent announcement of a £900 million investment in major sporting events, including both the men’s and women’s Tour de France Grand Départs in 2027, and new and upgraded grassroots facilities across the country.
However, while the Women’s Sport Taskforce marks a welcome recognition of women’s sport as a national priority, it will only succeed if it moves beyond symbolism to deliver measurable and lasting change. The Government has yet to establish specific targets, funding allocations, or timelines for any of its ambitions beyond the aforementioned “doubling” by 2035. Similarly, the Taskforce’s success relies on joined-up action on a local level, collaborating with local authorities and facilities in a realistic and financially viable way. Without concrete action plans, it risks fading and without sustained impact amid broader political and economic challenges.
England’s recent consecutive successes in women’s sport have helped prove that women’s sport is a core driver of national pride, economic value, and cultural identity. This moment presents the UK Government with an opportunity to turn success into lasting structural change, and cement the UK’s position as a global champion of gender equality.
The newly established Women’s Sport Taskforce represents an encouraging step forward. But to deliver true success, ambition must match accountability. Clear funding commitments, measurable outcomes, and local collaboration will be essential to convert momentum into impact. With the right policy frameworks and continued investment, England can not only sustain its recent success, but set a new global standard for women’s sport.